Arsonist started fire on living room floor

SHE TOLD NEIGHBOUR 'IT'S OK, IT'S MY OVEN' BEFORE FLEEING THE SCENE

- By ROB KENNEDY Court reporter

Fire damage caused by Bridgette Hope

A WOMAN who set fire to her home and told a concerned neighbour "it's just my oven" before fleeing the scene has been jailed.

Bridgette Hope had earlier told her mother she was going to have a fire but she thought she meant in her garden.

Hours later, thick smoke was seen coming from her home in Birtley, Gateshead after she set fire to items on her living room floor. She then left the property and was found by a river with ash on her hands.

Thankfully, the blaze did not spread far and the damage was confined to the area where it started.

Now Hope, who has mental health issues, has been jailed at Newcastle Crown Court.

It was on Sunday, May 11, that Hope, 31, who has been sectioned twice in the last three years, went to visit her mother for a cup of coffee around 3pm.

After laughing to herself, she said bye to her mum before saying she was going to have a fire when she got home.